-
Restore Balance in the Two Kingdoms
This is the kind of comment that leads people to call an unbalanced view of the two kingdoms, “radical two kingdoms”: Indeed, in general terms, it seems from the New Testament that the less we have to do with the magistrate, the better it will be for us. (source R. Scott Clark) That’s the same…
-
Unbalanced "Two Kingdoms" and Political Campaigns
Prof. Clark has a couple of posts up praising Ben Sasse and even including one of his political campaign advertisements (“Ben is a Straight Shooter” | “Ben is Speaking Up About Religious Liberty“). Personally, I can’t vouch for Mr. Sasse (nor do I have any particular criticisms), and that’s not the point of this post.…
-
Brian Mattson on Cultural Amnesia
Dr. Brian Mattson has posted a pdf corresponding to a lecture titled, “Cultural Amnesia: What Makes Pietism Possible?” The lecture makes an interesting comparison between Van Drunen-style two kingdoms views and those who argue that vaccinations are unnecessary. Very few American travelers to certain African countries come down with yellow fever. So, it may seem…
-
Van Drunen Two Kingdoms Rebutted by Brian Mattson
Dr. Brian Mattson has a post in which he distinguishes between Horton’s views on the two kingdoms and Van Drunen’s views on the two kingdoms (link to post). Dr. Mattson’s post should help to explain part of the problem with engaging the topic — there are a variety of “two kingdoms” views even amongst folks…
-
2 Kingdoms in 2 Chronicles
Some of the advocates of the so-called Escondido view of the two kingdoms (as distinct from the traditional view held by Calvin and Turretin and set forth in the Westminster Confession, 39 Articles, and Belgic Confession) seem to have the idea that “two kingdoms” (i.e. a distinction between civil and religious) is a novel idea…
-
Titles of Jesus: Archon of the Kings of the Earth
Jesus is described in numerous ways in the book of Revelation. One of the titles mentioned in the salutation of John and Jesus’ letter to the seven churches is “The Archon of the Kings of the Earth” (Greek: “ὁ ἄρχων τῶν βασιλέων τῆς γῆς”), which the King James Version translates as “the prince of the…
-
Gun Control and Scripture
The earliest historical record of arms control actually predates guns. The Philistines implemented a weapons control regime in order to suppress the Israelites: 1 Samuel 13:19-20Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, “Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:” but all the Israelites went down…
-
Pseudo-Kline Retranslates the Torah
The Pentateuch actually states: Deuteronomy 4:6-8Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto…
-
Early Muslim/Christian Debate – a Proto Two Kingdoms Apologetic
The Letter of Mor Yuhannon [John] (d. 649), the Patriarch, Concerning the discussion which he had with the Amir of the Mhaggraye, provides for us one of the earliest records of debates between Christians and Muslims. A complete translation can be found at the following link (link). It’s worth noting that in the discussion Mor…
-
Are Nations Supposed to be Concerned About Righteousness?
Some people seem to think that nations have no business in promoting morality in general or sexual morality in particular. There’s not always a cogent reason for this objection, but often the presupposition behind the objection is that there is supposed to be separation of church and state, and that this separation should entail the…